After a career spent writing engaging, well-researched nonfiction books, Amy Stewart had a hit on her hands with her first work of fiction, GIRL WAITS WITH GUN, an equally well-researched historical novel that vividly brought to life the story of Constance Kopp, America’s first female sheriff. The account of fearless, no-nonsense Constance and her eccentric family drew readers in, and the story only became more remarkable when they realized how closely it hewed to real-life events.

Now, fortunately, Stewart has followed up GIRL WAITS WITH GUN with another novel about the Kopp sisters. In the first volume, Kopp’s motivations were personal. This time, they’re more aspirational. She’s had a taste of the excitement and satisfaction involved in law enforcement, and she realizes that her talents in this area might be a way to help support her family. But when, after she’s been given an increasing amount of responsibility by Sheriff Heath, she allows a prisoner to escape on her watch, she knows she has to redeem herself, both in her eyes and in the eyes of her superior.

"Amy Stewart packs a lot into this sequel, with not just one but two mysteries and a whole lot of historical research, which she outlines beautifully in her afterword."

LADY COP MAKES TROUBLE finds Constance traveling solo to New York City, using her relative lack of information about the background of her escaped convict as an asset rather than a liability, asking questions no one else had previously thought to pose and exploring avenues no one else has previously traversed. She encounters her fair share of dead ends, and faces mounting pressure, not only from her own sense of pride and justice but also from the sheriff’s increasingly divided loyalties. Sheriff Heath wants Constance to succeed, but he is also being hounded by his image-conscious wife and a portion of the electorate who put him in office, both of whom would be happier if Constance would go back home and forget her aspirations to become a sheriff’s deputy.

Meanwhile, back at home, Constance has her own concerns, as her sister Fleurette is flourishing at a new school with new friends and a newfound love of acting but also receiving more attention from young men than Constance is entirely comfortable with. Should she be spending more time looking after Fleurette and less chasing down criminals?

Amy Stewart packs a lot into this sequel, with not just one but two mysteries and a whole lot of historical research, which she outlines beautifully in her afterword. She continues to breathe new life into a fascinating character from the past and make the Kopp sisters’ stories not only exciting and memorable but also relevant to today’s working women, in particular. Even as the novel continues to be based on true events (and she clearly spells out where the historical record ends and imagination begins), Stewart also continues to craft engaging narratives and shape Constance and the other characters into well-rounded individuals who readers will hope to encounter again soon.